Single cap opening and blade adjusting means for razors having sectional caps



Dec. 27, 1966 c. o. SCHRADER ,7

SINGLE CAP OPENING AND BLADE ADJUSTING MEANS FOR RAZORS HAVING SECTIONALCAPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21, 1965 ll l INVENTOR CLARENCE O.SCHRADER C. O. SCHRADER ENING AND BLADE ADJUSTING MEAN Dec. 27, I966SINGLE CAP OP INVENTOR CLARENCE O. SCHRADER ATT'YS.

Dec. 27, 1966 c. o. SCHRADER SINGLE CAP OPENING AND BLADE ADJUSTINGMEANS FOR RAZORS HAVING SECTIONAL CAPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 21,1965 I I; v

.. a MMNUNN 4 a J q q INVENTOR CLARENCE OSCHRADER BYMW ATT'YS.

United States Patent Delaware Filed July 21, 1965, Ser. No. 473,686 2Claims. (Cl. 30-605) This invention relates to safety razors in generaland more particularly to adjustable type razors. More specifically, thepresent invention is directed to improvements in safety razors of thedouble edge type wherein a single operating or adjusting knob isprovided to open and close the cap sections of the razor, adjust theblade angle relative to the guard, and also permit the caps to bereleased for flushing or rinsing while remaining closed a sufficientamount to preclude the loss or removal of the razor blade.

The present invention is provided with a double cam track which permitsstep-wise adjustment of the angle of exposure of the blade. In addition,an intermediate rinse position is provided which facilitates looseningthe cap sections to allow the blade, cap sections, guard and bladesupport to be easily and completely rinsed while retaining the capsections closed a sufficient degree to preclude complete release of therazor blade.

Cam followers, displaced 180 from each other, cooperate with theconcentrically disposed double cam tracks having identical adjustmentpositions displaced 180. In this manner, as the cam followers arerotated, they ride on the concentric cam tracks being urged intofollowing engagement by suitable means.

Any desired adjustment is easily selected by rotating.

the cam followers over the notched eccentric cam surfaces forming anadjustment truck. This causes the spider stem to shift axially toincrease or decrease blade clearance depending upon the direction ofrotation. A sharp rise is formed in each of the cam surfaces immediatelyadjacent one end of the adjustment track to facilitate quick openingwhen the cam followers are moved beyond the same. Intermediate of thetrack forming the sharp or steep rise is a notch like formation which isshaped to receive and hold the cam followers against movement toward thefully opened position. When the cam followers are positioned in thenotch-like formations, the cap sections are no longer in tight clampingengagement with the razor blade, but closed a sufiicient degree topreclude full release of the razor blade. In this manner, the parts areloosely retained to permit flushing or rinsing and may conveniently andquickly be restored to the desired adjustment with a few degrees ofrotation' of the followers.

A better understanding of the novel features of the safety razor of thepresent invention may be had by a consideration of the objects achievedand a description of a preferred embodiment.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a new and improvedadjustable razor.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedadjustable razor having a plurality of blade angle adjustment positions,an open position wherein the blade may be removed, and an intermediaterinse position all of which require less than one full rotation of anadjusting knob.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedsafety razor having a rinse position which is intermediate the fullyopened and fully closed positions.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the ice invention made in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the razor of the present invention withthe cap sections closed and the razor blade omitted;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the razor of FIG. 1 with portionsof the handle broken away and a razor blade inserted with the adjustmentset on reference No. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 generally illustrating the positionof the cap sections with the adjustment set on the rinse position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the razor of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the double cam track shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of the developed double cam track shown in FIGS. 5 and6 with the outer cam track superimposed on the inner cam track;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the cam follower shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the cam follower of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the cam and cam track assembly; and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the razor blade head in the closedposition.

The adjustable razor of the present invention is indicated generally byreference character 10 and includes a handle assembly 11, and razor headassembly indicated generally at 12. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 11, therazor head assembly 12 includes cap sections 13 and 14 pivotally mountedon a spider assembly 15. A guard or blade seat 16 having a platform typespring 17 is supported on a tubular handle 18.

The spider assembly 15 includes a spider stem 21 slidably received in alongitudinal bore in the tubular handle 18 and adapted to co-operatewith a means to provide incremental adjustment of the razor blade anglein a manner to be described. The lower end of the handle 18 is providedwith a cylindrical portion of reduced diameter 22 having alongitudinally extending key 23 formed along one side.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a double cam track sleeve 24 is provided with aninternal key way 25 adapted to cooperate with the key 23 when the sleeve24 is received over the reduced cylindrical portion 22. A double camfollower member 26 is biased into engagement with the cam tracks throughthe action of the coil spring 24 against the spider stem 21 urging ittoward the open position. An adjusting knob 27 receives the double camfollower 26, the two being held in engagement through a washer nut 28threadably joined to the end of the spider stem 21. An end cap 30 trimsthe lower end of the adjusting knob 27.

The details of the double cam sleeve may be better understood byreferring to FIGS. 5-7. The double cam sleeve 24 includes concentricallydisposed inner and outer cam tracks 31 and 32. Each of the respectivecam tracks may be formed separately and thereafter joined, or may beformed from a single casting as illustrated. The double cam sleeve 24may be formed from any suitable material such as metal or plastic withthe latter being preferred. Each of the cam tracks 31 and 32 is disposedwith identical track portions out of phase in order to co-operate withcam follower portions which are equally displaced. With a double camtrack arrangement, great stability during adjustment is obtained, whichinsures that the force applied to the spider stem 21 will be purelyaxial.

Each of the cam tracks is formed with a series of notch-like formationsor undulations 33 disposed at different elevations for receiving aco-operating portion of the cam follower during razor adjustment.Undulations on each of the cam tracks 31 and 32 which are identical inelevation, are 180 displaced on each cam track. This applies for eachposition of adjustment. As is apparent in FIG. 7, the valley 34 of eachundulation 33 is identified by an axially extending marker 70 on theouter cam track and a number of references from one to nine. Adjustmentto a particular number or setting may be had by rotating the camfollower to the desired position which permits the user to reselect aparticular setting which has been found to be the most satisfactory. Tothe attainment of this end a marker 19 is provided on the adjusting knob27 which permits rotation of the cam followers.

As seen in the top plan view of FIG. 5, the settings l9 have been markedin corresponding notches or valleys 34 in the undulated portions of eachof the cam tracks 31 and 32. Adjacent the No. 9 adjustment on each ofthe cam tracks 31 and 32 is provided a steeply inclined portion 35 and36 each of which is interrupted about half way down by a valley ornotch-like formation 37 and 38 disposed at an elevation substantiallybelow the valley in the undulation forming the No. 9 adjustment. Thesevalleys 37 and 38 form an intermediate position between open and fullyclosed positions which is referred to as the rinse position. The fullyopened positions on each of the cam tracks 31 and 32 is shown in thedeveloped view of FIG. 7 at 40 and 41 at the bottom of the steep orsharp rises 35 and 36.

The details of the double cam follower member '26 are best seen in FIGS.8 and 9. Cam follower portions 42 and 43, adapted to co-operate with theinner and outer cam tracks 31 and 32 respectively, are formed on the camfollower member 26. The cam follower portions 42 and 43 project upwardlyfrom an annular disk-like base 44 having a tubular sleeve portion 45provided with a central bore 46. A key 47 is provided on the lower endof the tubular portion 45 and forms a driving connection between theadjustment knob 27 and the cam 26. A key way 48 may be provided on adiametrically opposite side of the lower end of the tubular portion forco-operation with a key in the knob to assist in forming a drivingconnection therewith. Each of the cam followers 42 and 43 may besuitably shaped at its cam track contacting portion 50 and 51 to permitit to fit in the undulations 33. When viewed in elevation, the camfollowers 42 and 43 are of generally right triangular configuration,each having a straight side 52 and 53 and a sloped side 54 and 55.

The generally right triangular configuration of each of the camfollowers generally conforms to the configuration of the steep camportion so that when the cam surfaces are aligned with the steep slopeportion, the spring will urge the cam follower downwardly against thebottom 40 and 41 of each of the steep slope surfaces. When the camfollowers are in this position, the caps are fully opened as shown inthe exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 to permit a razor blade to beinserted or withdrawn.

A better appreciation of the co-operation between the cam followers andcam tracks may be had by referring to the enlarged cross sectional viewof FIG. illustrating the same in assembled relation. The inner camfollower 42 has the cam contacting surface portion 50 engaged with thecam track 31. The outer cam follower 43 has the cam contacting surface51 in engagement with the outer cam track 32 with both being at equalelevations.

A key 56 on the adjusting knob 27 is received in the key way 48 in thecam follower while the key 47 on the cam follower is received in asuitable key way 57 formed in the knob. The lower end of the spider stem21 threadably received the washer nut 28 and serves to hold the knobagainst the disk-like portion 44 of the cam follower.

Obviously, the cam follower and adjusting knob may be secured by asuitable adhesive or other means if desired. The trim cap 30 may bepressed into the lower end of the knob 27 to cover the end of the spiderstem and washer nut 28.

In using the safety razor, the adjusting knob 27 is turned until thestraight sides of the cam followers engage the straight sides 60 and 61of the inner and outer cams so the spring pulls the cams against thebottom portions 40 and 41. The cap sections 13 and 14 are thus openedand a conventional double edge razor blade 63 may be inserted. The knob27 is rotated in a reverse direction so the cam followers move up thesteep rise. Through continued rotation the cams pass the rinsenotch-like formations and the marker may then be positioned on any ofthe positions 1-9 and the cap sections assume the generally closedrelationship shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. The platform spring 17 urges themargins of the blade upward against the caps to hold the blade duringadjustment and shaving. This function is adequately described in theapplication of Clarence Schrader, Serial No. 448,018 filed April 14,1965.

After a few shaving strokes or when shaving is complete, the knob 27 maybe rotated to bring the marker 19 into alignment with the R on the camsleeve 24 as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the cam followers 42 and43 are positioned in the notch-like formations 37 and 38 in the steeprise cam track surfaces 35 and 36. The cap sections generally assume theposition shown in FIG. 3, as the spring 20 urges the spider stem 21 tothe open position. As is evident, the razor blade 63 is lifted away fromthe guard 16 by the platform spring 17 although loosely retained by thecap sections 13 and 14. A thorough flushing or rinsing of the entirerazor head assembly 12 may be completed by holding it under a stream ofwater while the parts remain in loosely assembled relation.

The safety razor of the present invention provides advantages in theform of accurate and easy adjustment. The rinse position permits therazor head to be easily and thoroughly flushed without losing the razorblade which is exceedingly difiicult and somewhat dangerous to retrieveif accidentally dropped. While the cam tracks have been illustrated asbeing mounted on the handle, they may be mounted on the spider stern andthe cooperating cam followers carried on the lower portion of the handleif desired.

Upon a consideration of the foregoing, it will become obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the invention embodied herein. Therefore, only suchlimitations should be imposed as are indicated by the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. An adjustable safety razor comprising a guard, an elongated generallytubular handle member joined to said guard, a spider stem received insaid tubular handle memher and having one end thereof extending throughsaid guard for joining to a spider, a pair of cap sections pivotallysupported on said spider and engageable with said guard for opening andclosing movement on shifting of said spider to clamp and release a razorblade, spring means urging said spider stern in a direction to open saidcap sections, first and second cam surfaces concentrically disposed onsaid tubular handle member, an adjustment knob having first and secondcam followers disposed in axial opposition for co-operation with saidfirst and second cam surfaces, each of said first and second camsurfaces including a series of undulations on which is received anassociated cam follower to permit incremental shifting of said spiderstem, and a steep rise portion on each of said first and second camsurfaces for opening said cap sections.

2. An adjustable safety razor comprising a guard, an elongated generallytubular handle member joined to said guard, a spider stem received insaid tubular handle member and having one end thereof extending throughsaid guard for joining to a spider, a pair of cap sections pivotallysupported on said spider and engageable with said guard for opening andclosing movement on shifting of said spider to clamp and release a razorblade, spring means urging said spider stem in a direction to open saidcap sections, first and second cam surfaces disposed on said tubularhandle member, an adjustment knob having first and second cam followersdisposed in axial opposition for co-operation with said first and secondcam surfaces, each of said first and second cam surfaces including aseries of undulations on which is received an associated cam follower topermit incremental shifting first and second cam surfaces for openingsaid cap sections, and a notch-like formation on each of the steep riseportions of said first and second cam surfaces to receive said camfollower to hold said cap sections in a position intermediate the openand closed positions to permit flushing of said razor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,795,846 6/1957Wertheimer et al 30-605 2,934,821 5/1960 Bailey et al. 30-60.5 3,056,19910/1962 Muros 3060.5

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

of said spider stem, a steep rise portion on each of said 15 MYRONKRUSE, Examiner

1. AN ADJUSTABLE SAFETY RAZOR COMPRISING A GUARD, AN ELONGATED GENERALLYTUBULAR HANDLE MEMBER JOINED TO SAID GUARD, A SPIDER STEM RECEIVED INSAID TUBULAR HANDLE MEMBER AND HAVING ONE END THEREOF EXTENDING THROUGHSAID GUARD FOR JOINING TO A SPIDER, A PAIR OF CAP SECTIONS PIVOTALLYSUPPORTED TO SAID SPIDER AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID GUARD FOR OPENING ANDCLOSING MOVEMENT ON SHIFTING OF SAID SPIDER TO CLAMP AND RELEASE A RAZORBLADE, SPRING MEANS URGING SAID SPIDER STEM IN A DIRECTION TO OPEN SAIDCAP SECTIONS, FIRST AND SECOND CAM SURFACES CONCENTRICALLY DISPOSED ONSAID TUBULAR HANDLE MEMBER, AN ADJUSTMENT KNOB HAVING FIRST AND SECONDCAM FOLLOWERS DISPOSED IN AXIAL OPPOSITION FOR CO-OPERATION WITH SAIDFIRST AND SECOND CAM SURFACES, EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CAMSURFACES INCLUDING A SERIES OF INDULATIONS ON WHICH IS RECEIVED ANASSOCIATED CAM FOLLOWER TO PERMIT INCREMENTAL SHIFTING OF SAID SPIDERSTEM, AND A STEEP RISE PORTION ON EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CAMSURFACES FOR OPENING SAID CAP SECTIONS.